Establishment of a Partnership in English with Kabul University, Afghanistan

The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul announces an open competition for a cooperative agreement to establish a Partnership between a U.S. four year college or university, or a U.S. non-profit organization in partnership with a U.S. four-year college or university, and Kabul University in the primary field of the teaching and learning of English language and literature. This partnership will focus on creating a framework for evaluating learning that is based on educational research methodologies and that can be applied in university classrooms and in university computer learning centers.The strengthening of higher education in Afghanistan is a compelling and critical need. There is a shortage of professionals and leaders to meet the needs of reconstruction, growth, and poverty reduction. It is essential to establish and maintain high academic standards at the university level to improve the quality of the education sector.The English language is important for international discourse. The most commonly used language in science and technology; it is also widely used in academic communities, business, medicine, communications, aviation, and diplomacy. It is learned world-wide as a second language, and the acquisition of English can be a pre-requisite to many employment opportunities. In Afghanistan, interest in learning English has been increasing. The need to strengthen the national capacity for providing high-quality English language instruction is becoming more urgent.Accredited U.S. four-year colleges and universities meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3), or a U.S. non-profit organization meeting the provisions described in Internal Revenue Code section 26 USC 501(c) (3) in partnership with accredited U.S. four-year colleges and universities, may submit proposals to pursue institutional or departmental objectives in partnership with Afghan universities. The means of achieving these objectives may include, but not be limited to: the careful preparation of research and evaluation studies of learning; related in-service professional development for faculty to be conducted at Afghan universities; strategic planning to streamline and refine computer learning centers; development of plans to sustain these initiatives institutionally; and outreach to professionals and other members of the communities served by the participating institutions. The timelines for achieving the objectives must be clearly outlined in the proposal.